Elvis Fan, Don Lance, tells how he managed to film Elvis at Madison Square Garden

Don Lance, a fan, surreptitiously filmed the afternoon performance on the new 'Prince From Another Planet: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition' set's DVD. 'A well-connected friend got a bunch of us tickets in the fourth row, center', said Mr. Lance, who was 24 at the time. 'My girlfriend snuck my camera into the Garden in her shoulder bag along with six rolls of film. To steady the camera during the show, I put it on a tripod I had brought in strapped to my leg. Each time I went to film, friends on either side blocked security's view'. 'I only had six rolls of film and each roll (cartridge) lasted a bit over 3 minutes, so that's why there is about 20 minutes in total of film. It was not that it took a long time to change film [as claimed], I just spaced out what I shot'.

Elvis Australia suspected and indeed suggested the reason must have been at least partly to do with the need to preserve tape in our review of the 'Prince From Another Planet: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.

Okay so for anyone wondering why the film is as it is now you know.

For those asking about the blank spots ...

As I write in my review, 'The 'blank' spots are explained in the booklet as being caused by when the camera operator has had to change tape cartridge - which clearly took some time to do - however I think as there is only 20 minutes in total and the length of the blank spots vary that the camera operator has needed also to preserve tape ... indeed he succeeded [In spacing out the film he had] as he managed not only to film Elvis opening his cape at the end of the concert but then his leaving the stage which is kind of important, somehow it just seems to make it 'compete', certainly better'. [So] 'Despite the film only being 20 minutes in total, you will not likely be disappointed! This film is not something that comes along very often and is indeed very special'.

Sony have quite amazingly synced up the audio to the film, and to make it more so, there is only 20 minutes of actual film recorded and it is in bits and pieces starting from outside the auditorium and the opening That's All Right [in full] to the closing with Elvis leaving the stage. In between when there is no film the screen goes blank but the audio continues and keeps in sync when the next piece of film comes along, this must have taken some work! So by doing this you can in fact listen the same way as a CD but with 20 minutes of film as a bonus.

But you do need to know this and once accepted view it as a unique find, which it is.

You can read my review via the link below, and from there send in your feedback. David Troedson.

From the Super Deluxe Box Set Review ...

But the actual concert footage itself is the big highlight. It's synced to the new remixed audio and the beginning sequence is fantastic, with the fan (Don Lance) filming outside Madison Square Garden before going inside to capture the splendid opening sequence in full, with Elvis coming on to the Theme From 2001: A Space Odyssey before a frenzy of drums segues into opener That's All Right Mama. There is only 20 minutes of footage, and lots of gaps where Mr Lance would have been frantically trying to change spools on his video camera to continue his filming. It seems rather churlish to complain about these gaps - filming a concert in those days was rather harder than holding up your iPhone. Rather it adds to the authenticity of the film and you do get the full audio on the DVD, so you can just sit back and listen to the music and enjoy the bonus of the video coming (and going) when it does! What is obvious is that Elvis was having a blast on stage, continually punctuating his performance with karate kicks and punching the air with his arms - fantastic to watch.

Buy 'Prince From Another Planet' Madison Square Garden Deluxe Edition CD/DVD Set in 8" x 8" packaging.

Back in June 1972, Elvis Presley played four hotly anticipated shows at Madison Square Garden. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the concerts, RCA/Legacy is releasing Prince From Another Planet: 40th Anniversary Edition, including two CDs and a DVD. In this clip from 'Prince', previously unseen fan-filmed footage of Elvis performing Suspicious Minds as captured on a hand-held camera by a tenacious fan with a knockout view, the footage is part of hour-long performances, it gives a different sheen to the massive gigs, documenting the experience as from a fan's direct perspective. Elvis shakes, rattles and rolls through his 1969 Mark James-penned hit, and of course, his sparkly blue outfit looks as good as ever. 

Review : Prince From Another Planet : 40th Anniversary Madison Square Garden 2 CD + DVD Set

Super Deluxe Edition Review : Elvis / Prince From Another Planet

 Jerry Schilling Shares Memories from Madison Square Garden

Disc 1:

The Afternoon Show : Recorded June 10, 1972

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey)
2. That's All Right
3. Proud Mary
4. Never Been To Spain
5. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
6. Until It's Time For You To Go
7. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
8. Polk Salad Annie
9. Love Me
10. All Shook Up
11. Heartbreak Hotel
12. Medley: (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel
13. Love Me Tender
14. Blue Suede Shoes
15. Reconsider Baby
16. Hound Dog
17. I'll Remember You
18. Suspicious Minds
19. Introductions by Elvis
20. For The Good Times
21. American Trilogy
22. Funny How Time Slips Away
23. I Can't Stop Loving You
24. Can't Help Falling In Love
25. End Theme (Orchestra)

[Originally issued as An Afternoon In the Garden]

Disc 2:

The Evening Show : Recorded June 10, 1972

1. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey)
2. That's All Right
3. Proud Mary
4. Never Been To Spain
5. You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
6. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
7. Polk Salad Annie
8. Love Me
9. All Shook Up
10. Heartbreak Hotel
11. Medley: (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear/ Don't Be Cruel
12. Love Me Tender
13. The Impossible Dream (The Quest)
14. Introductions by Elvis
15. Hound Dog
16. Suspicious Minds
17. For The Good Times
18. American Trilogy
19. Funny How Time Slips Away
20. I Can't Stop Loving You
21. Can't Help Falling In Love
22. End Theme (Orchestra)

[Originally as Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden]

Disc 3 (DVD):

Afternoon show filmed June 10, 1972 (approx. 1 hour)

The Deluxe Edition also comes with an extra DVD that presents unseen footage of the Saturday afternoon show, captured on hand-held camera by a fan, and now acquired by Legacy from that fan decades later for this package. Rarely is unseen footage of Elvis in concert discovered, so this footage lends historical importance to the package. The film is a revealing portrait of a physically commanding Elvis and his powerhouse TCB Band, background vocalists, and orchestra. And with the video meticulously synced to the audio ... it will be a gem!

Afternoon press conference held June 9, 1972 (approx. 20 minutes)

Along with the concert film on the DVD is another video document, the press conference that took place on Friday afternoon before the big weekend. Attended by Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis' father, Vernon Presley, Elvis disarms and wins over the New York press corps with his good-natured demeanor. For example, When asked, for example, 'Which kind of song do you like doing the best?' - Elvis answers, 'I like to mix 'em up. In other words, I like to do a song like 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' or 'American Trilogy', or something. Then mix it up and do some rock and roll, some of the hard rock stuff. I'm not the least bit ashamed of 'Hound Dog' or 'Heartbreak Hotel' ...' Rarely is unseen footage of Elvis in concert discovered, so this footage lends historical importance to the package. The film is a revealing portrait of a physically commanding Elvis and his powerhouse TCB Band, background vocalists, and orchestra. This is an historically important discovery.

Buy 'Prince From Another Planet' Madison Square Garden Deluxe Edition CD/DVD Set in 8" x 8" packaging.

Review : Prince From Another Planet : 40th Anniversary Madison Square Garden 2 CD + DVD Set

Super Deluxe Edition Review : Elvis / Prince From Another Planet

 Jerry Schilling Shares Memories from Madison Square Garden

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